J.J. Starling improved his defensive game with mentality switch
Syracuse guard J.J. Starling has always been an offensive juggernaut but in his senior campaign, he’s also improved his defense. Christian Calabrese | Staff Photographer
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If Adrian Autry was going to change his team’s identity, he needed his returning star to do the same. J.J. Starling was Syracuse’s only guard welcomed back for the 2025-26 season.
His scoring prowess was well known, as the Baldwinsville native led the Orange with 17.8 points per game as a junior. Yet defensively, Starling was severely lacking. Autry and Starling sat down early in the offseason to talk about emphasizing both ends of the floor for his senior year. As Autry put it, Starling was “all in.”
“We know J.J. to be that offensive juggernaut,” Autry said. “But he’s really put the time and effort in (defensively).”
Through Syracuse’s 13-game nonconference slate, and Starling’s 10 contests following a hamstring injury, the guard has flipped the switch. Per EvanMiya CBB Analytics, Starling improved his 0.50 Defensive Bayesian Performance Rate to 1.04. The tally reflects the defensive value Starling brings when he’s on the court.
As the Orange have refined their defense, allowing the third-fewest points in the Atlantic Coast Conference at 64.8, Starling’s development has been at the center of it. His offensive role has decreased by over six points per game. It could dip further with the return of Donnie Freeman. But with a simple reframed thinking, Starling altered his game.
“Last year, I was more offensive-minded. My energy was geared towards that end, and I was just thinking about that,” Starling said. “But this year, I’m thinking about both. That shift in mentality is what allowed me to play more defense.
“It’s not like I got longer or taller, or anything like that. My speed is still the same. It’s just all in my mindset.”
Starling is quick to point out the metrics. He’s still 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds. In his offseason conversation with Autry, Starling said the head coach pointed out his “God-given tools.” When Autry analyzed how the guard would fit alongside new players Nate Kingz, Naithan George and William Kyle III, Starling said his perspective changed. He wanted to make changes to be a “driving” force defensively.
It’s difficult for many of Starling’s peers to see the upgrade in his game, considering most SU players just started playing with him. However, George faced off with Starling in each of the last two seasons as the Georgia Tech point guard.
The Orange defeated the Yellow Jackets 62-55 on Jan. 7 last year to capture their first ACC win. George and fellow guard Lance Terry combined for 31 points, but the rest of GT’s offense sputtered. When asked after Syracuse’s recent win over Mercyhurst about facing Starling and SU’s perimeter defense last season, George said he felt there was no resistance. In the matchup, Starling played primarily alongside Lucas Taylor, while Elijah Moore started and Jaquan Carlos entered for just 10 minutes off the bench.
George added that with how much Starling was forced to do offensively — Starling dropped a game-high 21 points on 16 shot attempts — it seemed more difficult for him to play both sides. But since George arrived at Syracuse in the summer, he said he’s seen Starling buy in defensively.
“The way he guards (now), it’s like he’s a for-real two-way,” George said.
Starling’s best defensive showing thus far came when the Orange needed it most. Syracuse’s backs were against the ropes versus No. 13 Tennessee, already losing its first three Quad 1 opportunities in Las Vegas. Starling recorded three steals — his most in a game since the 2023 Maui Invitational.
Less than a minute into the matchup, Starling pressed full court on Volunteers’ forward Nate Ament. The star freshman attempted to break down Starling, but the guard picked his pocket for the steal. Later in the game, Starling ignited an early second-half run with a steal and slam.
He went over a screen to stick with Ament and scooped up a loose ball to go the distance. As Starling stuck with the 6-foot-10 Ament, the No. 4 player in the 2025 class went 2-for-10 on the night. SU held on for the late victory as Starling regained his offensive game with multiple big shots in the closing moments.
When looking at Starling’s advancements defensively, Autry sees it as an overall view into what he wanted his third team to look like. When the offense struggles, the defense still gives Syracuse a chance to win games.
Freshman Kiyan Anthony just started playing with Starling, but he’s watched his game from afar in the past. He said Starling had the capabilities to be a great defender and is now showing it off, even in practice. Anthony sees Starling’s new desire to pick up the best player. As a senior and captain, it’s vital, Anthony added.
Entering conference play in a make-or-break year for Autry, Starling and George are beginning to click offensively. With Starling’s newfound defensive prowess, the duo could turn into a top backcourt in the ACC.
